Sugar, humor for 750 people at benefit for Rockford YMCA

ROCKFORD — YMCA leader Mike Brown sacrificed his own blood-sugar level Thursday to prove that the YMCA is dedicated to improving the health of the community.

Brown illustrated the reality of drinking a soda by pouring a cup of sugar into a glass of water and drinking it in between his opening remarks to the 750-member audience.

He joked that he could do the experiment because there were doctors in the house.

“Let’s be real. Every time we hand a Coke, we are handing people a cup of sugar. We are welcoming them to disease. And maybe it’s going to take that we all start walking around with a clear glass of water with sugar to help us understand what we’re feeding today’s kids.

“Disease is treated. But disease is prevented by the spirit of our mouths. It is treated by a community that comes together and takes action.”

Healthy living was the focus of the second annual YMCA of Rock River Valley Community Fundraising Dinner, which included awards for two people and a health system.

The guest speaker was Dr. Patch Adams, a physician, social activist, clown and author who was portrayed by actor Robin Williams in an eponymous 1998 film.

It kicked off with kids who are part of the Y’s after-school programs and Y supporters gathered on stage while “We Are the World” blared over the speakers. Various videos were shown, including one highlighting the Y’s 10-week boot camp called the Community Health Challenge that included about 100 participants.

Alex Orput, the 2013 YMCA Intern Challenge winner, introduced Adams, who jokingly stole her speech. She encouraged audience members to wear the red clown noses that were placed on each of the tables.

Adams spoke about the roles of joy and happiness as part of overall health. He is the founder and director of the Gesundheit Institute, a holistic medical community that has provided free medical care to thousands of patients since 1971, according to its website.

“What is happiness to me? It’s that state of being where one’s celebration of life is obvious by their actions,” Adams said.

“I’m not talking about inner peace. I’m saying you’re so damn happy that it shows. What I’m not talking about is a moment in time like a wedding or a graduation. I’m saying it’s a platform from which you launch your life: ‘I am happy. How do I spend it?’”

A highlight of the dinner was the community awards presentation. The Teen Leadership Award went to Peter Kostantacos, a junior at Boylan Catholic High School.

Becky Cook Kendall, executive director of the Rockford Health Council, received the Distinguished Community Leader Award. And the Community Partner of the Year Award went to SwedishAmerican Health System, which recently opened its BetterLife Wellness Center at the I.D. Pennock Family YMCA.